The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-06-04

NOIIlS alI u llOSS dll d DuChDOdIu. Whats the name of this here firm"
 Big Bill x Little Bill,' one of the partners replied.
 Whats your name?" addressing the giant.
 Big Bill"
 "So see, but what's your other name?"
 Wall, madam, it's been so long since l used it that it's too much xiv cred with rust to be reco'nized now" You're funny man; funny man. Have you got a name?" addressing the dwarf.
 "Yes'um, Pm pleased to say I have" '"What is it?"
 'Little Bill"
 "Your other name. Got one ain't you?"
 "Yes'um, but I aint washed it in so long that am shamed to fetch it out"
 "What was your dads name?"
 "Little Buck"
 "Oh, you're funny man; funny man. Doin' pretty well with this sto' 1 reckon?"
 "Yes, middlin."
 'Sold anything today"
 "Ies, some caliko an a couple nv blow p'ints."
 w ho keeps your books!'
 "Aint got none"
 "llow do you know how you stand?"
 By lookin' round when we git up."
 "You're a peart lectle crctur, now aint you? Which way is it to where want to go?'
 Straight ahead.'
 "One of you or both go with me; you kaint sell nothin' mo this even- ing
 Well, don't kere ef l do," said Big Bill.
 "An' Fm agreeable" Little Bill re- marked. "Will your bread tray hold us?"
 "Bread tray? What do you mean: It's buck board"
 "Oh, skuzc me. Failin' to see its hons tuck it fur CT doe board"
 "But that don't make it d bread tray" she replied.
 "Yes, it does" said Little Bill, "fur you know bread tray ain't nothin' mo than dough board"
 My conshuns alive" turning to Big Bill, the child is gittin' pearter an pcarter Wall, shet up wore con trapshun, an les go. The folks air expectin' me this month. an don't want 'em to wait supper"
 That night, while the two partners were sitting in their cuddy hole, Big Bill, getting up to stretch his long legs, said:
 Little Bill, she hits me as bcin' monstrous fine woman. How does she hit you?"
 "Slaps me the same way, Big Bill. When look at them black eyes uv hcl'n feel like goin' out in the woods an dancin'."
 Little Bill, mebby that's what killed her husband. Mout have danced himself to death."
 Didn't know but he mout have been cut in two by one nv his razor back hogs" Little Bill replied. "S'pose we go out Sunday an shine round little with her."
 I'll jine you."
 "They called on her the next Sun day, and it was such an odd thing for the two Bills to go calling that many of the neighbors came and looked in upon them. Many attentions were bestowed upon the Widow Blake, and especially SD by a young fellow who owned Il spavincd horse and buggy with red wheels, yet she seemed best ] pleased with the Bills. She invited them to go to church with her, which i they did. and as she walked between them. no one, even the most observant- eyed old maid, could have decided upon her tavorite. i That night. when the cob pipes had been lighted in the cuddy-hole, Big Bill said:
 She's gittin' better lookin' all the time"
 "Yes." replied the dwarf, ''an' her eyes ain't losin' none nv their snap as you go along. Tell you what's a fact. Big Bill, I'll be hanged if l don't 1 bfevc I'm in love with her"
 "Podncr," replied Big Bill. we air still in the same boat. fur love her myself. Shake"
 They arose and warmly shook hands.
 They called on the widow again the following Sunday. and again she walked between them to church. Just before parting that evening, the two Bills held her hands, changing about from right to left so that there might be no appearance of partiality.
 Never seed a woman git better an better lookin' faster than she do." said Big Bill, when they reached home and lighted their pipes. Puts me in min nv young deer runnin' toward you. Gifts puttier as it comes near. Look here. Little Bill. tell YOU what